“There is no such thing as a new idea. We simply take a lot of old ideas and put them into a sort of mental kaleidoscope.” – Mark Twain
Advertising is a creative endeavor, and anyone who attempts to write or design an ad is drawing from their own experience and imagination — but we all look to other work for inspiration. We look through magazines, watch videos, listen to dialogue, read social media copy, and surf the seemingly endless supply of stuff online. Poet and plagiarist T.S. Eliot once said, “Good writers borrow, great writers steal.” The truth is that all creatives are influenced and inspired by what they see and hear. One way to get the creative juices flowing is by looking at really good work.
Four words, one visual, perfect billboard.
This stroke of genius is from BiC.
Builds strong enough teeth to chew a billboard.
Another example of manipulating the medium to make the message.
Someone was thinking way outside the wrap.
Absolut suggests its vodka turns buses into limos.
It’s an average billboard, until you realize it’s also a seat.
The artwork isn’t extraordinary, but the placement is. International agency TBWA put McDonald’s fries in a crosswalk in Switzerland.
Leo Burnett creatives came up with this sassy, smart promotional piece for a yoga center.
Brands have been trying to develop interesting twists on the business card for decades.
This one, for a Brazilian grocery store, is among the best we’ve seen. It actually works too.
One of the greatest paintings of all time and a ubiquitous elevator button. For a plastic surgeon’s office. An ad worthy of the Renaissance.
Let the great ideas percolate. You don’t want to copy verbatim, but you can imitate. Great examples show you how you can manipulate the medium itself and make it part of the message.
The best ads or promotions are organic, they aren’t forced. If you’d like some help, we know how to ideate.